Types of Tone

Using the appropriate tone depends upon what you are writing and your audience. Here are some examples of tone according to assignment and audience:

A) A persuasive essay would use a convincing, opinionated, and straightforward tone to convey meaning. Here is an example: The state lawmakers should enforce underage smoking laws immediately before more young lives are lost.

 B) An expository essay conveys an objective and factual tone. An example would be Nine out of ten teenagers do not eat breakfast on a regular basis at my high school.

 C) A narrative essay uses description or imagery to enhance the story being told. The tone is less formal and more subjective. Here an example: My great-grandmother quilt is a cloth mosaic of our family history and is considered a heirloom in our family.

 D) Descriptive, reflective, or personal essays can be anything from playful to solemn, depending on the subject matter. The tone could be witty, sarcastic, hopeful, excited, or serious. Use of tone in these essays conveys a mood or atmosphere that illustrates the topic.